Rajakumara coached the Lions to an A-grade grand final in the 2021-22 season, and a young Swans’ core will be leaning on his experience in the newly created role of coaching director.
The Swans have just six A-grade wins from their past three seasons in what has been a period of rebuilding at Echuca South Recreation Reserve. However, Rajakumara has said he’s taking a club-wide approach to keep South on track.
“I’m looking forward to a new challenge,” Rajakumara said.
“The focus will be on being involved in the coaching of the younger players right through to the seniors, and steering them in the right direction.”
The all-rounder has hit 585 runs and taken 18 wickets since joining the club in 2020-21, and the Swans have also been bolstered by the return of paceman Amila Gunathilaka.
Gunathilaka was one of BLU’s most efficient bowlers over the last four seasons, claiming 84 wickets at an average of 21.
Echuca South Reserve won’t be new to Gunathilaka, however, as he played a season with the Swans in 2018-19 before joining the Lions.
While the duo looks poised to bolster the Swans, the club's recruiting has hit a snag, with one of the club’s star recruits from last season unlikely to return due to new sporting visa restrictions preventing overseas players from playing under premier cricket level.
“There’s a new rule coming in that you can’t bring in any international recruits, with the exception of premier clubs,” Rajakumara said.
“Only premier clubs can bring in overseas cricketers. We were planning to bring back Asantha Singappuli, who played last year. We don't know if he’ll be back with the new regulations.
“We've had to go to plan B because we were planning on recruiting a couple of overseas players.”
Meanwhile, Moama and Nondies-Cohuna have also made early off-season moves.
Moama has brought back opening batsman Joel Murphy and league medallist Michael Hill into the side that competed in the semi-finals last season.
Nondies-Cohuna has also announced Zimbabwean bowler Ernest Masuku as an inclusion, with the 2022-23 McMahon Shield grand finalists hoping to go one better.
22°C